Letter box



J. ANDRASSY Sept. 23, 1930.

LETTER BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5, 1927 Sept. 23, 1930.

J. ANDRASSY LETTER BOX 2 Shets-Shee 2 Filid Oct. 5. 1927 Patented Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE '1 JOSEPH A NDRASSY, 01E CLEVELAND, OHIO LETTER BOX Application filed October 5, 1927. Serial m5. 224,141;

This invention relatesto a letter box which is adapted to be supported on a wall or other supporting structure for receiving mail.

The main object ofthe invention is to provide a letter box of the character described which is simple in construction and comprises comparatively few parts and which is well adapted for quantity production at comparatively low cost. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a letter'box comprising a-pair of telescoping sections and which may be locked in V a closed position in order to'prevent unauthorized persons from obtaining access thereto. Y

Another object of the invention is to pro- 'vide a letter box of the character set forth which is provided with automatic means for opening the same so as to permit'access thereto by authorized persons.

' Further and more limited objects ofthe invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in section showing the box in the closed positionand attached to a supporting structure;' Fig. 2 isa view similar to Fig. 1 showing the box in the open position; Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing the box in closed positions and mechanism for opening and closing the same; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View similar to Fig.4 showing a box in the open position; and Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Referring now tothe drawings, the box comprises an outer-casing 1 which is preferably made of sheet metal and which is provided on each side thereof with lateral tubu-- lar extensions or projections 2 andv 3. The front of the casing 1 is provided withja rectangular opening 4 which is closed by a transparent plate 5 that is held in place by any suitable means. Also provided in the front of the casing 1 is an opening 6 in which is positioned a lock 7, the purposeof-which'will hereinafter appear. The bottom of the casing 1 is also provided with an opening'8' and securedto the bottom'ofthecasing 1 is a coil'springs are secured to theprojections 17 and 18, re-

member 9 having a pair of oppositely disposed openings therein in which isislidably mounted a pin 10 having a u-shaped portion 11,as shown in Fig. 5 and which is held in the position shown in Fig. 5 by means of a coil "spring 12, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. V

Fitting within the outer'casing 1- is an inner casing 13 which is preferably rectangular in' shape and the front of which is open for the greater part of its length. The top of :the casing- 13 is shaped as shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5 and is provided with a slot 14 normally closed by a cover 15 pivotally secured thereto as at 16. The inner casing 13 is provided at each side nearthe bottom thereof with projections 17 and 18 which project into the lateral extensions 2 and 3, respectively; Arranged within the tubular extensions '2 and 3, respectively, area pairof 19 and 20 the lower ends of which spectively, and the upper ends of which are sec'uredto pins 21 and 22 arranged within the upper end, of the tubular extensions and extending therethrough.

Pivotally secured to the bottom of the inner casing 13 is a pawl or latch 23 which,

and is held inthis positionby means of the pin 10 which is normallyurged towards the by the coil spring 12.

left'as shown in Fig. 4

With the parts in the position shown. in

when the'inner casing 13-is-in its'lowermost Figs. 1 and 4, the coil springs. 19,.and 20 are under tension so] that when the pin 10 is moved toward the right as seen in- Fig.- 4,:the

springs will move the inner casing to the positionshown in Figs. 2 and 5. The front wall :of the inner casing 13 is cut away to provide an opening 25 and secured to the upper edge "of the opening 25. is a latch'26 which enters outer casing, as shown at 30. This flexible element 29 serves to limit the outward move-- ment of the inner casing with respect to the outer casing. Pivotally secured to the 'projecting ends of the pins 21- and 22 is a member 31 which is bent as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 which serves as a means for receiving packages or articles which are too large to be inserted into the letter box through the'slot 14:.

The outer casing 1 is secured to a support 32 in. any suitable manner or the same may be secured to a wall or other convenient supporting structure, if desired. The parts normally occupy the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and in this position the openings t and 28 coincide so as to enable one to view the contents of the box for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not any mail has been received.

The box is of such a size that the usual size letter L will be retained in the upright position as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5. The lock 7 is locked with a key in the usual manner and when locked prevents access to the interior of the box. When it is desired to open the box the lock 7 may be opened and the pin 10 ispushed inwardly toward the right as seen in'Figs. 4 and 5 which movement releases the pawl or catch 23 and the springs 21 and 22 serveto elevate the inner casing to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5, thus'enabling letters, etc. to be removed through the opening in the front of the inner casing; The upward movement of the inner casing is limited by the flexible element 29.

A suitable nameplate 33 may besecured to the front ofthe outer casing in any suitable manner for the purpose of enabling one to identify the letter box.

- Various changes maybe made in the details of construction withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention andI wish my invention to belimited only in accordance with the scope of the'appended claims. 7 It will'now'be clear that]: have'provided a letter boxwhich accomplishes the objects of my invention as 'hereinbefore'stated. I Having thus described my invention, what I claim'ist' .11;"Aletter box of the characterlset forth comprising a pair of telescoping casings, the outer casing'having alongitudinally extending'lateral' projection at each sidethereof defining a channel, the inner casing having an opening inits front wall and 'a'pair of oppositely disposed projections adapted to enter said channels and work'therein, spring means arranged within said channels normally urging said casings apart, interlocking means on said casings for holding the same against relative movement, means for releasing said interlocking means whereby to permit said spring means to move said casings apart whereby to permit access to the interior thereof and a slot in said inner casing of suflicient size to permit a letter to be inserted therein. is V 2. A letter box ofthe character described comprising a pair of telescoping casings, the outer casing having a longitudinally extendingprojection-at each side thereof defining a channel, the inner casing having a projection at each side thereof working in said channels respectively, a :spring' arranged within each of said channelsand. having its lower end attached to one of said projections and its upper end connected with said outer casingwhereby to urge said casing apart,

said outer casing having an opening in its bottom wall and a latch member carried by said inner casingand adapted to project through said opening and to-engage the edge thereof to hold said casings against relative movement.

3. A letterboxof the class described comprising an outer casing having an opening in its bottom, an inner casing fitting within said outer casing andslidable with respect thereto, said outer casing being provided at each side thereof with a channel and said inner casing havingon each side thereof a projection adapted to project into and work within said channels, spring means arranged within said channels and connected with said inner and outer casings and tending to urge said casings apart, said inner casing having anopening in its front wall permitting access to the interior thereof when said casings are moved to a position to uncover said opening, latching means for holding said casings against relativemovement, and 'means'rfor releasing said latching means.

4. A letter box of the class described comprising a pair of telescoping casings substantially rectangular in cross section, the

outer casing having an opening'therein adj acent its bottom, the inner casing having'ja latch thereon adaptedto :project'tlirough said opening and to hold said casings againstrela- 'tive' movement, said inner casing having. a

portion of itsfront wall cut away whereby ',to permit access to the interior thereof when saidcasings are moved apart a predetermined distance,-said -0utera casing having lateral projections thereon at opposite sides thereof defining spring compartments, spring means arranged within said spring compartments and urging said casings" apart, means for releasing said latch'to render said spring meansefiective and means for limiting the relative movement ofsaid'casings, said inner casing having an opening therein through which a letter may be inserted.

5. A letter box of the character set forth comprising a pair of telescoping casings, spring means urging said casings apart, latching means for holding said casings against relative movement, means for releasing said latching means whereby to render said spring means efl'ective to move said casings apart, means for limiting the relative movement of said casings and a lock for locking said casings against relative movement.

6. A letter box of the class described comprising a pair of telescoping inner and outer casings, the inner casing having a portion of its front wall cut away whereby to permit access thereto when said casings are moved apart a predetermined distance, .means for locking said casings in position to prevent access to the interior thereof, spring means arranged within said outer casing and urging said casings apart, a latch carried by said inner casing and cooperating with said outer casing for rendering said spring means ineffective, means for releasing said latch whereby to permit the spring means to move the casings apart and means for limiting the relative movement of said casings.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

JOSEPH ANDRASSY. 

